Articles by Ross

Ross Greenstein is President and CEO of
Scholarship for Athletes,
an independent consulting firm that assists high school athletes and
their families throughout the scholarship search and negotiation
process. He is a graduate of the University of Florida where he played
NCAA division one tennis and made the SEC all-academic team. He was
also a former Minnesota State Tennis Champion in high school. Ross can
be contacted at
[email protected].

9-Apr-2015Countdown: SFA Interviews Virginia Tech Coach Thompson
In his 17th season as the Virginia Tech Men's Tennis Coach, Jim
Thompson has done his fair share of recruiting. He sat down with SFA
to discuss different aspects of the recruiting process and what he
looks for in potential recruits.

4-Nov-2014Countdown: Keeping an Open Mind
When we begin working with a new student athlete, the first assignment
calls for them to reach out to current college players and ask them a
set of questions about their experience as college athletes. One of
the final questions is: 'What advice do you have for my recruiting
process?' Two very common pieces of advice are (1) to be patient and
(2) to keep an open mind about schools.

16-Jul-2014What Impact Did the Top 100 Girls from 2013 Have as Freshman?
Last week, Scholarship for Athletes investigated the impact the Top
100 Boys from the 2013 class had on their college teams as freshmen.
This week, they cover the Top 100 Girls from the same recruiting
class. The ladies performed a little bit better...

10-Jul-2014What Impact Did the Top 100 Boys from 2013 Have as Freshman?
Scholarship for Athletes took the time to research the Top 100 boys
from the Class of 2013 to analyze the impact that they had on their
teams as freshman. How many matches did they play? How did they do? And
how much did their performance impact the team?

3-Jul-2014One Thing That is Constant in This World: Change
This summer, more than a dozen major Division I men's and women's
tennis head coaching jobs have changed hands. These jobs were filled
by other head coaches, continuing the ripple effect. High school
athletes, should be aware of this so-called "coaching carousel".
Those who understand that the chances of keeping the same coach
throughout a college career are dicey can make better decisions during
the recruiting process.

4-Nov-2013Countdown: There's Life After November
November is here, and the early signing period is around the
corner. Each year, student athletes scramble to find a college to
sign with, while coaches look to lock down recruits. Most families
begin to feel nervous around this time, and some even go as far as
"freaking out". The general feeling is there will be no roster spots
available if student athletes do not sign during the early signing
period. Don't worry - there is life after November.

22-May-2013College Tennis in the Ivy League
At Scholarship For Athletes, we get asked a lot of questions regarding
the Ivy League schools, how they work, how they recruit, and what the
coaches are looking for. We asked some questions to a few Ivy League
men's coaches and here is what we found.

2-Apr-2013Countdown: Division III Tennis on the Rise
More and more top-tier players are signing to Division III schools, a trend which is quickly increasing the quality of that division. Scholarship for Athletes talks with Middlebury head coach Bob Hansen to better understand how competitive Division III tennis has become.

13-Feb-2013SFA Interviews TCU Head Coach David Roditi
David Roditi, head men's tennis coach at Texas Christian University sits down with Scholarship for Athletes to explain what he expects from prospective student athletes during the recruiting process. He reveals the dos and donts of visiting schools and shares his personal coaching philosophies.

5-Dec-2012SFA Interviews Columbia Sophomore Ashok Narayana
Ashok Narayana is a sophomore at Columbia University who recently won
the ITA Northeast Regional Doubles Title in New Haven, Conn. Narayana
played No. 1 doubles for the Lions last season. Ross Greenstein of
Scholarship for Athletes talked with Narayana about the transition
from junior to college tennis - and the recruiting process.

12-Nov-2012Fall Signing Week '12: Where Do Top Recruits Play in the Lineup?
Most recruits are seeking a competitive team where they can also be part of the starting lineup. Scholarship for Athletes conducted an analysis comparing top level recruiting to see what percentage of recruits made the starting lineups of their respective teams.

24-Oct-2012Countdown: SFA Interviews Cal Poly Coach Nick Carless
Scholarship for Athletes talks with head coach Nick Carless from Cal Poly University, who explains how to navigate the college recruiting process. He offers advice to student athletes and their parents on when to start, how to proceed, and what to expect.

11-Sep-2012SFA Interviews Kentucky Senior Jessica Stiles
Jessica Stiles, a senior at the University of Kentucky who plays the
No. 1 singles and doubles positions, talks about lessons learned
between her junior and college tennis days. Ross Greenstein of
Scholarship for Athletes shares a Q&A.

9-Jul-2012SFA Interviews Illinois St. Coach Cris James
Illinois State University men's tennis coach Cris James talks recruitment with Scholarship for Athletes. He explains his recruiting philosophy and advises incoming freshmen on the best ways to approach this process.

26-Apr-2012Interview with Emory Coach Amy Bryant
Emory University women's tennis coach Amy Bryant talks with Scholarship for Athletes about the college recruiting process. She offers suggestions to high school athletes about recruitment and explains how the transition into collegiate athletics should be handled.

26-Mar-2012Countdown: Interview with Tulane Coach Mark Booras
Scholarship for Athletes sat down with Mark Booras, the men's
tennis coach at Tulane University. Booras shares what he looks for in new recruits and the challenges facing incoming freshmen.

13-Feb-2012Interview with University of Denver Coach Danny Westerman
Danny Westerman, the head men's tennis coach at the University of Denver
talks with Scholarship for Athletes about the college recuitment process.
He shares his coaching philosophy and offers advice to potential recruits
as well as their families.

26-Dec-2011Interview with David Geatz of Penn Men's Tennis
Scholarship For Athletes sat down with David Geatz, the newest men's
tennis coach at the University of Pennsylvania. He provides some
insight on what it takes to play at Penn and what he looks for in
potential recruits.

14-Dec-2011Conversation with Maryland Men's Tennis Coach Kyle Spencer
The University of Maryland has announced that it will eliminate eight
athletics programs at the end of the 2011-12 year, including men's
tennis. The university cited financial concerns behind the cuts, but
has announced that student-athletes on eliminated teams have the
option to continue receiving scholarship assistance for their
remaining time at Maryland. Ross Greenstein from SFA talked with
tennis coach Kyle Spencer about the unfortunate situation.

25-Oct-2011Countdown: Talking with Texas Tech's Todd Petty
Last season, Todd Petty led the Texas Tech women's tennis team to
it's second-highest win total in program history. The Lady Raiders'
18-8 record and No. 48 final ranking were good enough to earn Coach of
the Year honors for Petty in the Big 12. Petty sits down with Ross
Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes to talk college tennis - coaching
and recruiting.

3-Oct-2011Conversation with Wolverine Coach Ronni Bernstein
Ronni Bernstein, head coach of the University of Michigan women's
tennis team, sits down with Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for
Athletes. She advises prospective college athletes to do in depth
research on tennis programs they are interested in, and lists all of
the factors that must be taken into account when making a college
decision.

14-Sep-2011Talking with Michigan State Coach Simone Jardim
Simone Jardim, the coach of the Michigan State Women's Tennis team,
sits down with the Scholarship for Athletes team in this exclusive
interview. She continually notes that passion and ambition to improve
are the top things she looks for in recruits.

29-Jun-2011Talking with Kenyon Coach Scott Thielke
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes talks with Scott
Thielke, head tennis coach at Kenyon College. Thielke emphasizes the
need to evaluate universities at all levels - academically,
athletically, and socially - in order to make the most educated
decision on choosing a school.

11-Mar-2011Talking with Rice Women's Tennis Coach Elizabeth Schmidt
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes sits down with Elizabeth Schmidt,
head coach of the the Rice University Women's Tennis Team.
Schmidt talks about the challenging transition from junior to college tennis
- and high school to college life.

21-Feb-2011Talking with Wisconsin Head Coach Brian Fleishman
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes talks to Brian Fleishman,
head coach of women's tennis at the University of Wisconsin.
Fleishman notes the importance of being respectful and observant on
official visits to universities.

10-Feb-2011Talking with Paul Settles, Head Coach of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Ross Greenstein and the SFA team chat with Paul Settles, Head
Coach of Men's Tennis for Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. Settles
reminds us that having good character, a passionate mentality, and a
solid academic resume are overlooked, but highly crucial keys to
successful recruiting.

3-Jan-2011Talking with Northwestern's Claire Pollard
Claire Pollard, the Northwestern Women's Tennis Coach, sits down
with the SFA team. She emphasizes her philosophy of looking for
players who show a high level of commitment and a desire to constantly
work to improve their games.

15-Dec-2010Conversation with Baylor Women's Tennis Coach Joey Scrivano
The Baylor Bears are one of the premier teams in women's college
tennis. The 2010 season saw Baylor win their fifth straight Big 12
Title while posting a 30-3 record and reaching the quarterfinals of
the NCAA Championships. Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes
got the chance to talk with Baylor Head Coach Joey Scrivano.

26-Nov-2010Talking with Arizona Women's Coach Vicky Maes
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes talks to Vicky Maes, the
University of Arizona Women's Tennis Coach. Maes emphasizes the need
for recruits to build a relationship with college coaches early in the
recruiting process.

25-Oct-2010Countdown: Talking with Navy's Keith Puryear
Many high school students are curious about playing sports at one of
the service academies. Ross Greenstein of Scholarship For Athletes
talks with Keith Puryear, head women's tennis coach at the U.S. Naval
Academy. Coach Puryear talks about how he recruits - and he
offers advice to high school athletes.

27-Sep-2010Conversation with Brett Masi of San Diego
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship For Athletes talks with Brett
Masi, head men's tennis coach at the University of San Diego.
Masi gives advice to both players and parents about the
college recruiting process, and he also comments on what he
looks for in a potential recruit.

2-Aug-2010Conversation with Tyler Thomson of Minnesota
Ross Greenstein of Scholarship For Athletes chats with Tyler
Thomson, head coach of women's tennis at Minnesota. Thomson
comments on all aspects of the recruiting process - and he gives
advice to players on how to approach college tennis.

15-Jun-2010Conversation with Santa Clara's Derek Mills
Ross Greenstein and Scholarship For Athletes caught up with Derek Mills,
coach of men's tennis at Santa Clara. Mills comments on how junior
tennis players should approach the recruiting process - as well as his
recruiting philosophy.

21-May-2010Conversation with Vanderbilt's Ian Duvenhage
The team at Scholarship For Athletes talked with Ian Duvenhage, head
coach of men's tennis at Vanderbilt. Duvenhage talks about the recruiting
process, what he looks for in players, and his approach to coaching.

29-Apr-2010Conversation with Northwestern's Arvid Swan
The team at Scholarship For Athletes talked with Arvid Swan, head
coach of men's tennis at Northwestern. Hear what Swan says about the
college recruiting process.

26-Feb-2010Steve Johnson Interview
Steve Johnson, a USC sophomore from Orange, CA, sits down with
Scholarship For Athletes to discuss being a Trojan and his transition
from juniors into the top of the collegiate tennis rankings. He is
currently ranked #1 in Men's singles and #13 in doubles. He helped
USC bring home a national championship title in 2009.

18-Dec-2009The Mystique of Ivy League Tennis
An Ivy League education is amongst the most well-respected in the
world. Such schooling also represents the most expensive and
exclusive of American higher education. Ivy League schools are
exceptionally costly and do not offer athletic scholarships. Even so,
top-ranked American athletes are still eager to participate in Ivy
League education and collegiate athletic programs.

22-Dec-2008Conversation with Jesse Medvene-Collins
Jesse Medvene-Collins is an assistant coach for both the men's and
women's tennis teams at the University of Redlands. As a player at
Redlands, Medvene-Collins was part of a team that won four straight
SCIAC Championships and a third place finish at the NCAA
Championships. Ross Greenstein of Scholarship for Athletes sits down
to talk with Medvene-Collins about all things college tennis.

21-Nov-2008Conversation with Dr. Mark Kovacs
Dr. Mark Kovacs, Manager of Sport Science for the USTA, is definitely
an expert when it comes to the training of successful athletes. Prior
to becoming a leader within the USTA, Dr. Kovacs was an Assistant
Professor of Exercise Science and Wellness at Jacksonville State
University. Dr. Kovacs has focused his research on the game of
tennis.

5-Nov-2008Conversation with Roland Thornqvist
Roland Thornqvist is entering his 7th season as head coach for the
Gators at University of Florida in Gainesville. This year will mark
his 12th overall year in coaching tennis. Ross Greenstein of
Scholarship For Athletes talks all things tennis with Coach
Thornqvist.

22-Sep-2008Conversation with Gordie Ernst
Ross Greenstein, CEO of Scholarship For Athletes, will be interviewing
men's and women's tennis coaches from schools all across the country.
In this first installment, Ross sits down with Gordie Ernst, men's and
women's tennis coach at Georgetown University.

22-Aug-2008Market Value and its Importance in Tennis Recruiting
In recruiting, knowing your market value means knowing exactly where
you stand in the eyes of the coaches at the schools you are
considering. All coaches recruit more players than they have spots
available, so knowing how you compare to the competition is essential.

28-Jul-2008Three Steps to Tennis Success
The competitive level of college tennis in the United States is
extremely high, and recruiting process has become ultra-competitive.
What does that mean for you? Simple. Whether you're ranked top ten or
top 1000, you're going to need a game plan to find the school that
will be the best fit for you. Here are three questions you should ask
to help you navigate the recruiting process and choose a school that
is the best fit for you academically, socially, and athletically.

7-Jul-2008Playing For Time - The Importance Of Expectations For Recruits
When trying to find a college that will be a perfect fit, there are
many academic, social, and athletic factors that must be considered.
One of the most important factors is playing time. Playing time can
make - or break - your collegiate tennis career. The goal is to know
what you want and what to expect from your program.